Sheila Schuller Coleman moves ministry to movie theater

Crystal Cathedral Pastor Sheila Schuller Coleman tells her congregation she has "learned from my own mountain - you can win just by standing." She announced that Sunday was her last service at the iconic Garden Grove building but she will continue to be a pastor of a new church, Hope Center of Christ.MINDY SCHAUER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Sheila Schuller Coleman will kick off her new church Sunday much the same way her father Robert H. Schuller started his ministry before building it into the Crystal Cathedral.

Her first service will be in a movie theater.

Make that AMC Theater number 15, inside the Outlets at Orange that was formerly known as the Block at Orange.

"Yes, we started in a drive-in theater, and we will be starting in a movie theater, in the heart of American civilization, where unchurched people will be walking around constantly," Jim Coleman, Schuller Coleman's husband, said Thursday.

Robert H. Schuller began his ministry in 1955 in a drive-in-theater in Orange, growing it into the Crystal Cathedral Ministries that reached millions worldwide through the Hour of Power television program.

Schuller Coleman will hold services at 9 am.

"We're not sure about upcoming Sunday mornings because the movie theater may be booked, but this Sunday, we'll be inside theater number 15," Coleman said.

Last Sunday, Schuller Coleman surprised the congregation by announcing she was leaving the bankrupt cathedral and would be holding services at a new site under a new name, Hope Center of Christ.

Meanwhile, the Crystal Cathedral plans to continue with its three regular services Sunday with an interim pastor. Cathedral officials announced this week they will revert to a more traditional style of ministry and music, favored by many of the long-time congregants who do not like the changes Schuller Coleman instituted when she took over.

In the past week, the Schuller family has cut off all ties to the cathedral Robert H. Schuller built.

Last Saturday, Robert H. Schuller and his wife, Arvella, announced they were quitting their positions on the board of directors. That same day, the elder Schuller posted a video on Facebook saying his financial future may be at risk because of the bankruptcy. A week earlier, the board fired one of Schuller's daughters, Gretchen Penner, and her husband, Jim Penner, as well as Jim Coleman from their positions at the ministry.

The Crystal Cathedral was sold to the Catholic Diocese of Orange last month, and the congregation has up to three years to find a new home.

Crystal Cathedral Pastor Sheila Schuller Coleman tells her congregation she has "learned from my own mountain - you can win just by standing." She announced that Sunday was her last service at the iconic Garden Grove building but she will continue to be a pastor of a new church, Hope Center of Christ. MINDY SCHAUER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Sheila Schuller Coleman, former senior pastor of the Crystal Cathedral, will begin her new ministry, Hope Center of Christ, in a theater at the AMC 30 at The Block of Orange. COURTESY THE BLOCK AT ORANGE
The Rev. Robert H. Schuller preaching at drive-in movie theater February 1, 1978. FILE PHOTO, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove. MARK RIGHTMIRE, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Crystal Cathedral Pastor Sheila Schuller Coleman smiles at her congregation at the end of Sunday services where she announced the church's last service at the Garden Grove building. She will continue to be a pastor of a new church, Hope Center of Christ. MINDY SCHAUER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Sparse attendance is one of the challenges facing the Crystal Cathedral church where it was announced Sunday that the congregation will no longer be holding services at its longtime location in Garden Grove. MINDY SCHAUER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Crystal Cathedral Senior Pastor Sheila Schuller Coleman embraces well-wishers after Sunday services where she announced she will no longer lead worship in the iconic Garden Grove building. She also announced a new name for the church - Hope Center of Christ. MINDY SCHAUER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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